Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer

Cancer is a terrifying disease, and breast cancer takes that terror to a higher level. Is there really anything that a woman can do to lower her risk of contracting this ailment? Unfortunately, while there is nothing that anyone can do to totally prevent breast cancer, there are some things that any woman can do to lower or mitigate their risk.

Weight. Lose, or at the very least reduce, the excess weight that you may have. Evidence shows that just a small amount of excess weight leads to an increased risk of breast cancer. It only stands to reason that if an increase in weight leads to an increase in risk, then reducing the weight reduces the risk.

Diet. Go on a diet. This does not just mean that you should try to lose weight as suggested above, though a diet may be necessary to do just that, but also to watch your consumption of alcohol. If you must drink, limit yourself to no more than 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine or 1 ˝ oz. of hard liquor. This is going to help you reduce your weight (no one really likes a beer gut after all) and at the same time decrease the chances you have of contracting breast cancer.

Exercise. By exercising, and generally living a more active lifestyle, you make your efforts to reduce your weight, and going on a diet more successful. Studies have shown that by being at least moderately active, such as going for walks when you can, reduce your risk for breast cancer by as much as 40%.

Smoking. Do we really have to go into the health benefits of quitting, or at the very least reducing, any smoking that you may be doing? This is something that doctors and health experts have been preaching for years, and since tobacco has been linked to 30% of all cancer related deaths, it would make perfect sense to stop this habit.

Breastfeeding. If you have recently had a child, try breastfeeding. This activity is natural, healthier for the baby, and seems to provide some protection from contracting breast cancer.

Early detection. This is possibly the single greatest way for any woman to survive a diagnosis of breast cancer. While it does not reduce the risk of contracting cancer, it does help in fighting it off if diagnosed. Regular self examinations and mammograms all help in detecting early signs of the disease.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. Learn more about Doris...

MORE FROM DORIS

Better Organize Your Closet Space

Closets are one of those things in the home that constantly needs help in organizing. Here is the best way to have as ...

Comments

If you would like to add an image to
your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment),
include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. Youâ€™ll be prompted to upload
your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will
be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to
review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Source

(gif, jpeg or png only, 5MB maximum file size)

Source

(gif, jpeg or png only, 5MB maximum file size)

Source

(gif, jpeg or png only, 5MB maximum file size)

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 6 + 8?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your commentâ€”just use
the simple form above!)